Author: Michael Gwarisa

Editor for HealthTimes, Zimbabwe's leading online health news publication

Naming & Shaming Quarantine Escapees Fuel COVID-19 Stigma

Michael Gwarisa

IN as much as disclosure of names and details of quarantine escapees is good for managing and controlling the uncontrolled spread of COVID-19, the practice fuels stigma and discrimination for escapees and COVID-19 affected and infected individuals, the Community Working Group on Health (CWGH)  has warned. By Michael Gwarisa In a statement, CWGH Executive Director, Mr Itai Rusike said as an organization, they abhor the naming and shaming of people who escape from the country’s quarantine centres by government as this excerbates and entrenches stigma and discrimination against the escapees…

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#Talking COVID-19 With Dr Grant: Are We Doing Enough Testing For COVID-19 In Zimbabwe?

Michael Gwarisa
Dr Grant Murewanhema

THE first cases of COVID-19 were confirmed in Wuhan, China,  in December 2019, and a few months later the disease became a worldwide pandemic. To date over 7 million infections have been reported. Zimbabwe has reported 356 cases, which include 4 deaths and 54 recoveries. By Grant Murewanhema Transmission patterns include imported disease, sporadic disease, clusters of disease and community transmission. In community transmission, clusters of cases are reported in the communities without clear linkage to imported cases. Most of the cases reported in Zimbabwe so far have been among…

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Comprehensive Sexuality Education Is Not Sex Education Says Experts

Michael Gwarisa

SEXUAL and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) experts have reiterated that Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE)  was key to empowering young people in and out of out school to make informed decisions about their life choices.   By Michael Gwarisa Speaking during a virtual discussion that was organised by the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) and Right Here Right Now (RHRN), Mr Sendisa Ndlovu, the Programs Officer for SAYWHAT said CSE was not about sex education but embraces the aspects of children’s rights and empowerment which in turn prevent them…

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Coping with Retrenchment; A Mental Health Perspective

Michael Gwarisa

RETRENCHMENTS in Zimbabwe are expected to hit record numbers as a result of economic disruption from the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic that continues to disrupt the global economy, many employers worldwide are left with no choice but to reduce staff in order to cut costs and survive.  By Dr Kudakwashe C Muchena Zimbabwe is not immune to this as is already seen in the Hospitality and Entertainment industries. In response to this predicted wave of retrenchments, this article seeks to give a mental health…

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#COVID-19: Zimbabwe Relaxes Lockdown

Michael Gwarisa

PRESIDENT Emerson Mnagaggwa has announced that Zimbabwe is still on level two of the national lockdown even though some restrictions on public gatherings and industry have been lifted. By Michael Gwarisa According to President Mnangagwa the easing of restrictions was the first step towards economic recovery post the COVID-Q9 induced lockdown which was adopted in March. From the pains of the pandemic, we must now find new impetus to rebuild. The liberalization of our economy must continue in earnest. “Reforms stuck in the wheels of bureaucracy must be unleashed, catalysed…

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#JUSTIN: Zim Churches To Reopen

Michael Gwarisa

PRESIDENT Emerson Mnangawa has announced that churches are now allowed to reopen but following strict social distancing and Covid-19 guidelines. By Michael Gwarisa In a national address on the state broadcaster, President Mnangagwa said the church was part of the essential services and the country needed spiritual healing. He also declared Monday, 15 June as the Presidential National Day of Prayer and Fasting I wish to acknowledge that our church leaders are essential personnel in preventing the spread of the Coronavirus. “Going forward gatherings for the purpose of worship not…

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ZICHIRE Takes SAFE SPACES Training To Uzumba

Michael Gwarisa

ZICHIRE a Civil Society Organisation implementing community based public health programmes and building of resilient communities has taken their SAFE SPACE program to Uzumba, Maramba and Pfungwe (UMP) in a bid to educate communities on issues around Gender Based Violence (GBV), Sexual Reproductive Health (SRHR) among issues. By Michael Gwarisa In an interview with HealthTimes, ZICHIRE program manager, Mr Walter Chikanya said the training also incorporated sign Language Training for ZiCHIRe’s community cadres conducting SAFE SPACE program in UMP so as to cater even for people with disabilities who are…

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COVID-19 could reverse gains made for African children, warns Save the Children

Michael Gwarisa

THE COVID-19 pandemic threatens to reverse progress made for children in Africa by years or even decades, with economic aftershocks risking to push an additional 33 million children into poverty, according to Save the Children. With malaria levels projected to rise to levels of some 20 years ago, an estimated 265 million younger children out of school because of COVID-19 and the virus added to the factors driving food insecurity, the pandemic is expected to have a long term impact on children, despite early decisive action taken by many African…

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ZCSOSUNA Engages Nutrition Champions To Raise Awareness In Communities

Michael Gwarisa

THE Zimbabwe Civil Society Organisations Scaling Up Nutrition Alliance (ZCSOSUNA) is in the process of engaging experts from various fields to act as Nutrition Champions in a bid to drive the nutrition message at grassroots level. By Michael Gwarisa The nutrition champions will be drawn from Media, Music and Arts industry, Parliament, Private Sector and government. Speaking on the development, ZCSOSUNA National Coordinator, Mr Kudakwashe Zombe said the move was meant to simplify and demystify some of the myths society has on nutrition through using individuals they are familiar with.…

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#JUSTIN: Gvt Terminates All DRAX Contracts

Michael Gwarisa

THE Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) has directed the National Pharmaceutical Company (NTAPHARM) to terminate with immediate effect all contracts  with DRAX Consult SAGL for the delivery of Medicines and surgical sundires. In a letter written to Mrs Florah Sifeku, the NATPHARM Managing Director, the ministry’s acting permanent secretary, Dr Gibson said the cancellation of all the contracts should be completed by Friday, June 12 2020. You are being directed to cancel ALL contracts that you had with Drax SAGL with immediate effect. Please be advised that this…

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